Is Change Worth the Risk?
Dan Kunz
One of the keynote speakers at the 2019 Christian Leadership Experience was Don Zietlow, CEO of Kwik Trip, Inc., a Wisconsin-based convenience store company. At its recent year-end meetings for all co-workers, Don explained the challenge of change in the convenience store industry. In a business focused primarily on gasoline and tobacco products, it became evident that something needed to change, with tobacco and gasoline sales slowly dwindling. For the past several years, Kwik Trip has changed its business model to incorporate hot food and produce.
As Don Zietlow puts it, “Change is risky, but not changing may be a greater risk.”
Isn’t that true in all facets of life?
On a personal level, changing one’s lifestyle can be a daunting task, but help is as close as your smartphone. Countless fitness apps make counting steps or counting calories relatively easy. Tracking your daily exercise can help shed unhealthy pounds and re-energize you. Although not all “self-help” books are worthwhile, many of them tend to be worthy of your attention. If you’re a list-maker or a list-follower, some such books can improve your organization, your interpersonal relations, or your effectiveness at work. If you believe your personal relationship with Jesus isn’t what it could or should be, God himself provides all sorts of help.
First and foremost, being in God’s Word daily will draw you closer to him. The number of devotionals available today (like the ones on this website) are astounding. Most churches and other sources provide access to Bible studies in various forms. Numerous apps provide the convenience of God’s Word at your fingertips.
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”
On a family level, perhaps you could use some help as well. Financial challenges can stretch relationships to the breaking point. A trusted financial advisor can be an effective way to navigate the reality of too much month left and not enough money. Several Christian financial help books and plans are available.
Parenting can be a joy, but anyone will tell you that it’s not without challenges as well. Having a parenting mentor can be a huge help, whether it be a family member or friend. The best source of practical advice is, of course, a fellow Christian, someone who perhaps has navigated those challenges themselves at some point. Unfortunately, the world around us far too often pictures love as strictly a feeling, but it’s not just that. It’s also a choice. A home where mom and dad not only love each other, but choose to love each other, is truly a place where obstacles can be overcome.
II Corinthians 11:14 “For the love of Christ compels us…” Christ’s love compels us to do many things, including loving one another, even when we’re not so lovable.
Change is, indeed, risky, but not changing may not only be a greater risk, it may be disastrous! With God the Father as your supervisor, God the Spirit as your motivator, and God the Son as your navigator, may your efforts to change in the New Year be successful!
Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the Lord. Trust in him and he will act.”
Contributor, Dan Kunz, Antioch Foundation